Education
National ban on transgender athletes in girls’ sports passed by U.S. House panel
WASHINGTON – The U.S. House Education and Workforce Committee early Thursday passed a bill on a party-line vote that would block transgender girls from competing in school sports consistent with their gender identity, a reflection of a broader push in multiple states to curb the rights of transgender student athletes. The bill, H.R. 734, introduced […]
Bill allowing malpractice suits for transgender minors’ health care goes to Sanders’ desk
A proposed law that would open the door for medical malpractice lawsuits against Arkansas doctors who provide gender-affirming care to transgender minors passed the House on Wednesday and will go to Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders’ desk. Senate Bill 199 would create civil liability for a doctor who “performs a gender transition procedure on a minor […]
Arkansas governor signs wide-ranging education bill into law
Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders on Wednesday signed expansive changes to Arkansas’ education system into law. The LEARNS Act takes unprecedented steps in hopes of restructuring the state’s K-12 schools, addressing teacher pay, school safety, career readiness, literacy, a new voucher program and “indoctrination,” among other topics. The legislation was Sanders’ main priority since taking office […]
What is the Arkansas LEARNS Act?
The LEARNS Act is a 145-page piece of legislation signed into law by Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders Wednesday. The broad bill makes changes to multiple aspects of the state’s education system, including teacher pay, per-student funding, graduation requirements and annual student testing. Here are some details on the major parts of the bill: A voucher […]
Arkansas committee rejects proposed law to hold libraries accountable for ‘obscene’ material
An Arkansas legislative panel on Tuesday rejected a proposed law that would have opened the door to criminal liability for the distribution of “obscene” content by school and public libraries. The House Judiciary Committee voted down Senate Bill 81 with a voice vote after three hours of discussion and testimony. The bill’s sponsors, Sen. Dan […]
Arkansas lawmakers send sweeping education bill to governor’s desk
Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders will sign her signature education package into law Wednesday, two weeks after the bill was filed. The Arkansas Senate gave final approval to Senate Bill 294, also called the LEARNS Act, on Tuesday. “I’m ready to sign it into law tomorrow and end the failed status quo that has governed our […]
Arkansas governor’s education package returns to Senate for final legislative approval
Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders’ sweeping education bill will again be considered by the Arkansas Senate Tuesday, following committee approval Monday. Senate Bill 294, also called the LEARNS Act, is expected to clear the Senate and become law this week. Sanders said in a statement that she’ll sign the bill into law as soon as the […]
Little Rock Central High students protest alumna Sarah Huckabee Sanders’ legislative agenda
More than 1,000 Little Rock Central High School students walked out of class Friday afternoon and gathered in front of the school, protesting Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders’ education agenda and her references to the school while promoting it. Students published an open letter to Sanders on Wednesday, stating that her approach to education policy is […]
SESSION SNAPSHOT: Arkansas LEARNS marches through the Arkansas House
Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders’ first legislative priority took the next big step toward becoming law this week. The sprawling, divisive education bill moved through the Arkansas House of Representatives, passing on the House floor Thursday by a vote of 78-21. There is great passion on both sides of the debate, which has really become about […]
Arkansas House approves governor’s education legislation, sends back to Senate
This story was updated at 6:05 p.m. Thursday, March 2, 2023. Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders’ broad education package is one step closer to becoming law following approval by the Arkansas House of Representatives Thursday. After about an hour and a half of debate, lawmakers passed Senate Bill 294, also called the LEARNS Act, by a […]
Arkansas House panel approves governor’s education package
This story was updated at 6:10 p.m. The Arkansas House of Representatives plans to consider Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders’ sweeping education bill Thursday afternoon. The House Education Committee advanced Senate Bill 294, also called the LEARNS Act, Wednesday after about 45 minutes of discussion. Because the bill was amended, it will have to again be […]
House education committee mulls education package after daylong meeting
House Education Committee members are taking the evening to consider everything they heard during about 10 hours of testimony Tuesday before voting on the governor’s education package Wednesday. Committee chairman Rep. Brian Evans (R-Cabot) said he was committed to allowing everyone to speak and asked lawmakers to listen with clear minds and open hearts. Senate […]